Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-21
WAS TT MURDER?
A PENNSYLVANIA WHO FELL INTO
ROBBERS HANDS.
lead Body OF Soma Man Seen In the
Woods, But When Again Looked
for is Gone.

in q partially intoxicated state. II
represented that he had been robbed o
all he had, and said that he had nowher
to stay. He was accommodated will
lodgings at the First station-house tina
night.
HIS STORY.
To several persons ellison represente,
that over $500 had been stolen from
him, together with a check for n muci
larger sum. He said lie came to Rich
mond from Scranton, Pa, and was OF
his way to Claremont, down Jane
river, where he intended making q pur
chase of some land.
SEES TIE CHIEF.
Next day, the 9th, Gibson went to the
Office Of Chief-of-Police Poe and tolt
him what had happened, and said tina
he would be under obligations to the
Major if he could provide accommoda
tons for him until his people could bC
communicated with and some money
thus obtained.
Major Poe secured Gilson's admit
lance to the almshouse and at once
wrote to the address furnished.
BEEN on SPREE.
ellison did not represent to the Chief
that he had been robbed.
His appearance indicated that he had
been on a spree, and he only said in a
modest manner and rs if ashamed OF
having so deported himself, that he had
lost large sum of money in an ugly
way that he had foolishly lost his
money, or something of that kind.
THE MONEY COMES.
In few days after the letter written
by Major Poe for Gibson was sent a re-
ply was received by express with $50
enclosed.
The letter, from a1ady, was kind in
tone, and expressed sorrow that ellison
had been so unfortunate as to get into
trouble.
The money was taken to ellison at
the almshOuse, or rather he went to
the Office of Major Poe, and received
it, and gave receipt for it, which is
now on file in the Office of the Chief.
A CHANGE.
ellison, who appeared about twenty
eight years old, and is married, was
quite diiierent-iooking man when he
left the almshouse from what he was
whenh he went there.
He had gotten over his spree entirely,
and all who saw him were impressed
with the honesty of his expression.
As soon as lie had been given the
money sent him and returned thanks
for the kindnesscs shown him he took
his dcpariure-whence no one knows.
Az INVESTIGATION.
G;lson's story and certain things OBJ
served III the Rockets district aroused
the suspicion of the police authorities,
and Policeman John Il. Hall, of the
First district, undertook to work up the
case, and to il he has devoted himself
fer several days most encrgetically. As
4 result Of his investigation a large
plumber Of witnesses were sum-
monod t. appear at the First
police station night before last,
when they were examined by
rolice.JUstlcc -. c. Richardson.
Ihore was much testimony brought
)ut which went TO indicate that the lar
,CIy vas committed. Several persons
nave been seen with large sums OF
money who were known to have been
N impecunious condition previous to
lie appearance OF Gibson.
ONE ARREST.
The examination resulted in war
ant beng sworn ont Tor the arrest OF
Fannie Cooper on the charge Of being
suspicious character. Ter case was
allied III the Police Court Yesterday
morning and continued until next Sat
lrday. Fannie lives in Tug.boat row,
lear the lower gas-works. She is a no.
orious character who has frequently
ieurcd in the Police Court. Officer
iall has information that on the 9Th OF |
August she WIS seen with large rolls Of |
lank notes, and that she gave Emma |
Vest Sl00 and divided the balance with |
da Hampton aDl George Hampton.
The check rclcrT.d 10 was drawn on |
he Farmers Bank of Philadelphia
has been received that
ieorgc Hampton, OF this city, recently |
ad check for large sum cashed in
,orfoll, and it is thought problble
hat this wGs the one lost ~ Gibson.
lie authorities there have been COM
lul.icated with on the subject.
WHERE IS gibson?
The officers are somewhat puzzled as
D the whereabouts Of ellison. When
e was given his money he babe the
Ulcers adieu, and they have not heard
rom him since. He may have re-
lrncd to his home he may have gone
Il to Claremont, as he first intended.
lie, of course, is the most important
illness for the prosecution, and every
hoit will be made to find out where he
). Justice Richardson yesterday wrote
, The same person Ill Scranton who
mt the money to make inquiry on
lis subject, and ordered that special
xertiOns be made 70 find him if any
here in the State. II he * ont of the
tate and does not wish to appear rs a
illness there is 10 law to compel him
} do so.
Dead HOdy in Woods Neagsr,e CITY
Sheriff Southwark, having heard Of
le case of Gibson, went to the Police
ustice yesterday and told him OF an
lvestigation that he was making in the
ounty, and which he thought possible
light have something to do with the !
,bbed Pennsylvania.
About two weeks ago nlmber Of
rticles of a mans wardrobe were found
Dout two or three miles below the city.
4 the past few days the Sheriff ascer-
lined that in the same neighborhood
Mrs. Valentine, while picking berries
that vicinity, had seen in the woods
lie dead body of man. Later, when
oked for, the supposed corpse was
)ne.
Sheriff Southwark was asked yester-
~ evening to give the facts to the Dis
itch, but he SAID that he was unableto
} so, but if the reporter would accom-
my him in the Investigations he was
,out to make the Dispatch could get {
the facts procurable.
His offer was accepted.
TIE FIRST PERSON SEEN.
Mrs. Sarah Meredith, who lives at
e extreme end Of Williamsburg ave- !
Ie, was the first person seen by the
porter. She is q middle-agcd woman, i.
q from her surroundings seems tn he l